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Rochdale station platform coming back into use

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CdBrux

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Article in the local newspaper about the start of work at Rochdale to 'add' a new platform, if they had consulted the NR northern hub website they would have learned:

Facts: We're adding a third platform at Rochdale station allowing trains from Manchester to terminate without blocking the main line.

Benefits: Trains going beyond Rochdale can overtake terminating trains, reducing bottlenecks

Anyone know if the plans are also to run through a service from the west that otherwise terminates in the through platforms at Victoria and maybe link with a terminating service from the east (Rochdale) which would improve connectivity as well as ease any pressure on Victoria?

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/new...59/new-bay-platform-at-rochdale-train-station

Rochdale Train Station is set to get a new bay platform.

The platform is set to be built on the Manchester side of the station and it is hoped that work will be completed by May 2016.

Work is currently being undertaken to remove trees and the old platform to allow the Manchester track to be moved across, to make way for new points and track into the bay platform.

The platform will extend down to the bridge so that it will be able to hold between a six and eight car diesel multiple unit (DMU).

The track from Rochdale to Mills Hill is also being increased in speed from 70mph to 85mph and is being re-signalled.

It is understood that the idea is to run some of the trains that terminate at Victoria Station through to Rochdale, i.e. Liverpool and Blackpool and possibly direct trains to the Airport via the new Victoria/Piccadilly link.

Network Rail did not respond to a request for comment
 
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Viscount702

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The trouble with the Northern Hub website is that it has been saying this and many other things for some considerable time but it doesn't reflect the fact that many of the things mentioned have quietly been dropped- so no one knows what is happening until NR say something if they feel inclined so to do.

If in fact work has started on the new platform NR aren't admitting as yet and no one again seems to know what precisely is to be done. If this platform is to go ahead which has been uncertain for sometime the the way it is to be done has yet to be clarified.
 

61653 HTAFC

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As far as I know the plans are still to end the practice of terminating trains from the North/West at Victoria, with Electrics to Stalybridge and diesels to Rochdale. I can't imagine a service terminating at Rochdale from the East though (even though there's the old Oldham loop bay), as Manchester is the obvious big draw.
 

Kite159

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As far as I know the plans are still to end the practice of terminating trains from the North/West at Victoria, with Electrics to Stalybridge and diesels to Rochdale. I can't imagine a service terminating at Rochdale from the East though (even though there's the old Oldham loop bay), as Manchester is the obvious big draw.

Most likely Manchester being the big draw, but afterwards the services turning into local stopping services to Rochdale.

Similar to the Kirkby - Clitheroe services, there is a large passenger turnover at Victoria
 

CdBrux

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As far as I know the plans are still to end the practice of terminating trains from the North/West at Victoria, with Electrics to Stalybridge and diesels to Rochdale. I can't imagine a service terminating at Rochdale from the East though (even though there's the old Oldham loop bay), as Manchester is the obvious big draw.


I had east & west inversed in my original post, now corrected. Thanks!
 

chrissawer

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Work has definitely started. Lots of deforestation and removal of the old platforms has been ongoing for a couple of weeks I think.

Good to read about the length of the new bay platform and the speed increase to Mills Hill.
 

Viscount702

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You seem very sure about that. No one? At all?

I am sure you know as do others in the know but may be unable to say.

In fact sometime back you did indicate what might be done but as always things can change or may not go ahead- Chinley for example.

If you do know and can say then I think we would all like to know as NR seem reluctant to say at present.
 
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DarloRich

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The trouble with the Northern Hub website is that it has been saying this and many other things for some considerable time but it doesn't reflect the fact that many of the things mentioned have quietly been dropped- so no one knows what is happening until NR say something if they feel inclined so to do.

Alternatively any decisions are subject to several on going reviews on the costs, value for money, business case, scheduling, impact and deliverability of all projects. Those reviews have yet to report.

That or there is a conspiracy of silence :roll:
 

Joseph_Locke

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Corrections in bold:

Rochdale Train Station is set to get a new bay platform.

The platform is set to be built on the Manchester end of the station and it is hoped that work will be completed by May 2016.

Work is currently being undertaken to remove trees and the old platform to allow the Manchester track to be moved across, to make way for new points and track into the bay platform.

The platform will extend down to the bridge so that it will be able to hold between a four car diesel multiple unit (DMU).

The track from Rochdale to Mills Hill is also being increased in speed from 70mph to 85mph but is not being re-signalled.

It is understood that the idea is to run some of the trains that terminate at Victoria Station through to Rochdale, i.e. Liverpool and Blackpool and possibly direct trains to the Airport via the new Victoria/Piccadilly link.

Network Rail did not respond to a request for comment
 

stockport1

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May I ask what is officially proposed to deal with the redundant through platform and what length is it?

So what exactly is happening here?
The old island is being cleared and refurbed to house a south facing bay?
Am i missing something??
 

stockport1

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WCMLaddict

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Corrections in bold:

The track from Rochdale to Mills Hill is also being increased in speed from 70mph to 85mph but is not being re-signalled.

That's interesting. There's also 60 between Rochdale and Castleton which I always thought was there because of signal sighting.
 

ianhr

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What is likely to be running on this route which is capable of 85mph?!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
This is what I originally thought however the article shows veg clearance on the
disused island. *confused*

This article suggests 4 through platforms...ie both islands reinstated but is from 2012!!!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...chdale-station-to-be-main-line-in-322m-691498

Yes, if it is only to be a south facing bay it will obviously not permit overtaking. There is frequently a need for overtaking with the current timetable as semi fast departures from Manchester are often being signal checked behind late running all stations trains before Littleborough. Presumably TPE trains (85mph?) will be diverted this way too at weekends if the Standedge route electrification work ever starts.

There is no loop permitting overtaking anywhere between Manchester and Milner Royd Jct since all spare capacity was stripped out years ago.
 
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Welshman

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There is no loop permitting overtaking anywhere between Manchester and Milner Royd Jct since all spare capacity was stripped out years ago.

I was once on a diverted TPE which overtook a Calder Valley service which was looped between the site of Miles Platting station and what used to be the junction with the Cheetham Hill loop just before Newton Heath.

But that was very soon after leaving Victoria, and I agree with you that after that, there is now no chance until the diverted TPE takes the Greetland line at Milner Royd.

Perhaps one of the former loops between Littleborough and the Summit tunnel, or between Hebden Bridge/Mytholmroyd and Luddenden Foot should be re-instated.
 

ianhr

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Oh yes, I had overlooked that bit, agreed I should have said no overtaking possible between Newton Heath and the bifurcation at Milner Royd.
 

Geeves

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This is how I understand it from speaking to people while I was working there the other day. Basically the Manchester bound platform is long enough so that the Leeds - Manchester trains can stop at the Leeds end. Midway along the same platform the Manchester line will be pushed out away from the platform leaving enough room for the current line to become a dead end all using the same platform face albeit with a bit of a southerly rebuild. So no new platforms required and you get a south facing bay on the cheap.

I could be totally wrong but that is how I understood it. No loop although this would be much more useful!
 

andyb2706

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I think the Rochdale Online is being a bit over enthusiastic with the "re-signalling scheme" quote. The only changes in signalling I believe is to happen is the signal before the station for Leeds bound trains is being moved a bit closer to Castleton and the new signals associated with the bay.

Also I would love to see how the Liverpool trains that currently terminate at Victoria can make it to Rochdale.......seeing there are no wires to Rochdale!:D
 

Joseph_Locke

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I think the Rochdale Online is being a bit over enthusiastic with the "re-signalling scheme" quote. The only changes in signalling I believe is to happen is the signal before the station for Leeds bound trains is being moved a bit closer to Castleton and the new signals associated with the bay.

Also I would love to see how the Liverpool trains that currently terminate at Victoria can make it to Rochdale.......seeing there are no wires to Rochdale!:D

There's also a new Up line signal going in to sort the huge signal section Roochdale -> Castleton.

Liverpools to Rochdale; who said they couldn't be diesel? Anyway, AFAIK none of the Rochdale terminators come from Liverpool - just Kirby, Blackburn and Clitheroe.
 

lejog

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This is what I originally thought however the article shows veg clearance on the
disused island. *confused*

This article suggests 4 through platforms...ie both islands reinstated but is from 2012!!!

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...chdale-station-to-be-main-line-in-322m-691498

I'm sure I read on this forum that as well as the bay platform, development of some sort is planned on the disused island platforms (car park perhaps?).

Edit: Having read that article you linked to, while there are lots of errors, it does mention both the subway to the island platform being reopened as an alternative exit and extra car parking.
 
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WatcherZero

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Subway has already been refurbed and reopened, it provides a shortcut under the station from the car park at the rear to the stations main entrance, the former platform entrances are blocked off.
 

stockport1

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Subway has already been refurbed and reopened, it provides a shortcut under the station from the car park at the rear to the stations main entrance, the former platform entrances are blocked off.

Reopening the island to make 4 through platforms as well as a mcr bay would make most long term sense imho. Its strange that work is being undertaken and no plans have been posted on this most informed forum! ??????
 

lejog

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There's also a new Up line signal going in to sort the huge signal section Roochdale -> Castleton.

Liverpools to Rochdale; who said they couldn't be diesel? Anyway, AFAIK none of the Rochdale terminators come from Liverpool - just Kirby, Blackburn and Clitheroe.

I wonder if the enigmatic Mr Locke would like to comment on whether sections of line north/east of Rochdale are also being upgraded to 85mph? I understand that his erstwhile colleagues the Stephensons surveyed and built the original Calder Valley line with a minimum curve radius of 60chains which could in theory allow 85mph (although sadly probably not through Halifax and Bradford).
 
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Wolf

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Don't class 158 go this way and they are good for 90mph?

Yeah a lot of the Leeds services are 158s currently mixed in with other 15x stock so if there was a push to reallocate all diagrams 158s only there could potentially be some decent time improvements between Rochdale and vic, but only if they retime services for 85mph running and just use 158s otherwise I can't see how it will make a difference because the max ud be able to run with a 150 or 155 would be 75 , up from 70 which will make negligible difference. I'm abit confused as to why this is going to be only between Rochdale and mills hill though rather than extending all the way down towards miles platting because as you pass mills hill going towards vic the line straightens up nicely towards Moston and has only slight curvature after that so would have thought that could easily have also being increased from 70 to 85mph, would make sense to have an 85mph line speed all way from The end of the 40 at Rochdale down to thorpes bridge where it could start to reduce in stages - 70 , 60, 50 until the 40 starts on the hill near Newtown on the approach to vic station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I wonder if the enigmatic Mr Locke would like to comment on whether sections of line north/east of Rochdale are also being upgraded to 85mph? I understand that his erstwhile colleagues the Stephensons surveyed and built the original Calder Valley line with a minimum curve radius of 60chains which could in theory allow 85mph (although sadly probably not through Halifax and Bradford).

I reckon you could without too much cost upgrade the line speed between hebden and dryclogh to 70 or even 75 , the bit from dryclough junction to Halifax might be a bit tricky with all the bends but then the bit all way from Halifax beacon hill tunnel through to bowling tunnel could again surely be upgraded to a decent 70-85 without too much trouble. There's only one bend in the latter section just After hipperholme tunnel which might be a bit tricky to get to 75-85, the rest is pretty straight track.
 
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lejog

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Yeah a lot of the Leeds services are 158s currently mixed in with other 15x stock so if there was a push to reallocate all diagrams 158s only there could potentially be some decent time improvements between Rochdale and vic, but only if they retime services for 85mph running and just use 158s otherwise I can't see how it will make a difference because the max ud be able to run with a 150 or 155 would be 75 , up from 70 which will make negligible difference. I'm abit confused as to why this is going to be only between Rochdale and mills hill though rather than extending all the way down towards miles platting because as you pass mills hill going towards vic the line straightens up nicely towards Moston and has only slight curvature after that so would have thought that could easily have also being increased from 70 to 85mph, would make sense to have an 85mph line speed all way from The end of the 40 at Rochdale down to thorpes bridge where it could start to reduce in stages - 70 , 60, 50 until the 40 starts on the hill near Newtown on the approach to vic station.

I reckon you could without too much cost upgrade the line speed between hebden and dryclogh to 70 or even 75 , the bit from dryclough junction to Halifax might be a bit tricky with all the bends but then the bit all way from Halifax beacon hill tunnel through to bowling tunnel could again surely be upgraded to a decent 70-85 without too much trouble. There's only one bend in the latter section just After hipperholme tunnel which might be a bit tricky to get to 75-85, the rest is pretty straight track.

In the new franchise spec, one of the two Bradford to Victoria services (the one extended to Chester) is specified as being one of Northern's Regional Express trains, so will be at least a refurbished 158, hopefully no longer hindered by attaching a Pacer in the rush hours. Oddly enough the other service (extended to Manchester Airport) wasn't mandated as such, although the spec said that airport services may be designated in that manner.

The Northern Hub requirements targeted a 50 min journey time from Bradford to Manchester and AFAIK Network Rail looked at the cost of upgrading the whole line to 90mph in attempt to meet this target, but came up with a figure well above £100m. £40m was budgeted, so it seems that only the cheaper sections of the line will be upgraded, hence my question. I've heard that Network Rail hope to cut the Bradford to Manchester journey time from 60min to around 55min, but that has never been announced officially.
 
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